Machining a Model Steam Engine Cylinder - Part 2 - The Oblique Port Holes

This video is the completion of the model steam engine, 'cylinder' component. The oblique, port holes, may look scary, but the approach and mechanics don't have to be. Let me show you a rock solid way to accurately set it up, and confidently machine it, using a "Tooling Ball". A valuable skill you can apply to other projects. Take a Look !!

[davidtaylor]

Never heard of a tooling ball before - thanks for introducing that. The paper in the port trick is a good one too!

[bobuk]

Hi Joe, thanks, I did n't even know about tooling balls. Well, the ones you are talking about! Beautiful explanation and demo. Guru level. BobUK.

[oldman]

Beautiful!! If you don't have one make one. A great rule to live by.. Great to hear the natives are restless. CHEERS and stay safe.

[jasonl]

I was ready for part 2! Thanks for all the great content. Your experience really allows you to make it easy to understand and think about the problem at hand.

[graemeanderson]

Another brilliant video Mr Pie! For the most amateur of amateurs such as I, your easy to understand descriptions and set ups of difficult operations make this machining world much more accessible. Sincere thanks.

[FredMiller]

Great segment Joe. Loved how you broke down and explained the math behind the setup. Great result!

[prashantpanchal]

Skill level : tangent of genius.

I can see myself struggling for 8 hrs and still throwing that part in the scrap bin.

Hats off to you.

[jasonjoens]

That tooling ball fills in a BIG hole in my knowledge base!! I would LOVE to see more examples of how that can be used!

[rubiceltrejo]

Accidentally found your yt channel and I’m hooked. I am studying mechanical engineering (graduating December) and part of our curriculum included the machining of a small air engine. I enjoyed the hands on experience and the tricks and loops machinists use to create complex features. Now as an intern at an analytical instrumentation company, I design a lot of machined parts and really try to think about how to design parts to make them functional and as simple to manufacture as possible. I was amazed at how easy you make this look, your knowledge is truly invaluable. Can’t wait to see more!

[bobwarfield]

My favorite part of these is the anticipation of problems:

I don't know how this will feel breaking through, so I put this piece of paper. Or the various points where something was done to "avoid blowing up the cutter."

One can only think that a very young Joe Pie must have a wonderful bloopers tape showing the hard-earned experience that resulted in so much wisdom. It's great you're now saving others having to learn the hard way.

[MichaelLloyd]

Wow! There's a lot of machinist gold in this one. I'm glad I paid attention in geometry... too bad I don't remember all of it after 44 years of "other stuff". I remember more than I thought. I have never seen a tooling ball used but man... what a great tool

[stxrynn]

second time I've seen a tooling ball used. Time to buy. Thanks Professor Pie. Crystal clear.

[paulcarre]

Thank you again Joe - I have actually done a fair few of these and I learnt a number of things from your example. Years ago I learnt a lot from watching the likes of Keith Fenner, Tom Lipton and Adam Booth, recently however maybe not so much. Your content however teaches me something new most every time I look. The trick with the paper was a DOH moment for me. Not to say I agree with everything - that milling cutter down the bore nearly did for me. Thanks again. Paul C

[westweld]

Awesome Joe theres alot of info in this video that I've never seen is why I watch YouTube but good content like this is hard to find

[Engineerdd]

You continue to educate. Enjoyed watching it, watched it twice.

[joell]

👍👍😎👍👍 - Joe, hope you're having as much fun recording these as we are getting to watch the master at work. Thank you

[DaveStroble]

Just discovered your channel...and learned a whole bunch...subscribed!

[ericgolden]

love this channel. Keep up the good work, Joe!

[bluepeter]

Dear Joe,
thank you very much for posting this. I have only never machined a steam engine cylinder but a pair for a small locomotive are on the to do list. I have read numerous instructions and most involve much use of the four jaw chuck and often because the articles were written when many model engineers did not have a mill at all. None of this worries me bar the steam passages and your explanation has given a degree of certainty that I previously did not. Thank you. I do not like guesswork either.

[Preso]

Nice job. I had heard of tooling buttons but not a tooling ball. The trick with the paper in the intake port was a good'un too. Thanks for sharing.
Regards,
Mark Presling